Latest news with #Foran
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Urban wetland attracts fly-by visit
A Dunedin primary school, building its very own urban wetland, received a special visit from a high-flying New Zealand business leader. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran was in Dunedin yesterday meeting with students at East Taieri School to get a first-hand look at the site of the school's planned wetland. The New Zealand Landcare Trust received $15,000 from the airline's Every Corner Project, which invests $1 million in community nature projects across the country, to build the 343cu m wetland at the school. The wetland would reduce flooding, improve stream health and provide hands-on environmental education opportunities. Seeing the enthusiasm and excitement, from both the children and adults, in person was "pretty special", Mr Foran said. "I think it would be terrific in a few years to get back here and see what it looks like when it's all done." East Taieri School students point out the location of their "urban wetland" to Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran and chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Kiri Hannifin yesterday. The children are (from left) Nixon Landreth, 8, Lyla O'Neill, 8, Annabelle Clark, 7, Aubrey Gregory, 7, Isla Fraser, 8, Sophie Lind, 7 and Albie Brown, 9. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN East Taieri enviroschools teacher Jo Hackfath said the land had been cleared and was now a "blank canvas". Earthworks were expected to begin in November and planting on the site could start before Christmas. She and the students had been "very excited" for Mr Foran's visit, she said. "It's lovely when the company has invested some funding that he is personally making the effort to come and see our project. "It means a lot to us."
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Engine issues continue to affect Dunedin flights
Global engine maintenance issues affecting Air New Zealand's fleet and Dunedin travellers are not expected to be resolved until 2028, the Otago Daily Times can reveal. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told the ODT yesterday it was "still about two plus years away" from "getting on top" of the engine issues. He shared the news after speaking with the chief executive of international aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney earlier in the day. "It's unfortunate because we've already had about two years of it, but it's a tough problem to solve and there are many factors that are involved in it." In July 2023, Pratt & Whitney disclosed a condition affecting the maintenance plan for the geared turbofan jet engine fleet. Mr Foran previously said that, while the maintenance issue did not pose a safety issue, this had caused the airline to revise its flight schedule. Since late February, it has been using a 68-seat ATR-72 turboprop plane instead of the roomier 171-seat Airbus A320 on its morning and evening flights between Dunedin and Wellington — meaning the first flight of the day arrives in Wellington 50 minutes later than it did before. Mr Foran yesterday said the engines on about half of its Airbus fleet were bought during a period where a batch of "contaminated metal" was used. About 1200 engines were queued up waiting to be checked, which had created a backlog. "We're a bit unlucky. We just happened to purchase engines during this period. "It'll work its way through. They're safe but they need to be checked and hopefully by about 2028 we think we should be through." When asked if there could be further changes to domestic flight schedules and capacity, Mr Foran said there "probably will, but hopefully not as much as it has been as we work through these issues". He empathised with Air New Zealand's customers and the impact on them. "We're over half way. I wish it was going to be fixed by Christmas. It won't, but it will get fixed. "And as soon as those planes are available to come back, then they will." An interim report from Dunedin Airport earlier this year said domestic seat capacity remained limited due to Air New Zealand's ongoing fleet challenges, and it did not anticipate any "meaningful improvements" in the airline's capacity until late 2026. Chief executive Daniel De Bono said the engine issues affecting Air New Zealand's fleet, and many other airlines globally, were easing but remained outside of both the airport and Air Zealand's direct control. "We remain focused on working with Air New Zealand and our other airline partners to grow air capacity from Dunedin. "The aviation sector regularly faces challenges like this and the key is to work collaboratively through them." The engine-related domestic capacity constraints had reduced available seat capacity and limited the airport's ability to grow in the short term. It was a "dynamic situation" not isolated to Dunedin or New Zealand. As a global supply chain challenge, the airport had taken a conservative approach in its forward planning to account for the uncertainty, Mr De Bono said. "We also expect further changes to the domestic network as Air New Zealand navigates the [engine] issues and softer domestic demand. "Shocks like this happen in aviation, but the medium to long-term growth path generally remains steady." Business South chief executive Mike Collins said its main concern was maintaining reliable air connectivity in the region. "Flights are critical for business, tourism and freight — the reality is that ongoing constraints risk impacting local growth. "We encourage Air New Zealand to keep regional centres front of mind in any schedule changes." While the engine issues were complex and global, uncertainty around flight availability hurt businesses' confidence, Mr Collins said. Every cancelled flight or reduced service chipped away at business confidence and reliable services were key to unlocking economic opportunities for Dunedin and the South. "Businesses rely on certainty to make decisions — and right now, there's a real lack of it when it comes to regional air connectivity. "That creates challenges not just for planning travel, but for investment, growth and confidence in the region."
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Air NZ's engine issues to persist
Greg Foran. File photo: Tracey Roxburgh lobal engine maintenance issues affecting Air New Zealand's fleet and Dunedin travellers are not expected to be resolved until 2028, the Otago Daily Times can reveal. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told the ODT yesterday it was "still about two plus years away" from "getting on top" of the engine issues. He shared the news after speaking with the chief executive of international aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney earlier in the day. "It's unfortunate because we've already had about two years of it, but it's a tough problem to solve and there are many factors that are involved in it." In July 2023, Pratt & Whitney disclosed a condition affecting the maintenance plan for the geared turbofan jet engine fleet. Mr Foran previously said that, while the maintenance issue did not pose a safety issue, this had caused the airline to revise its flight schedule. Since late February, it has been using a 68-seat ATR-72 turboprop plane instead of the roomier 171-seat Airbus A320 on its morning and evening flights between Dunedin and Wellington — meaning the first flight of the day arrives in Wellington 50 minutes later than it did before. Mr Foran yesterday said the engines on about half of its Airbus fleet were bought during a period where a batch of "contaminated metal" was used. About 1200 engines were queued up waiting to be checked, which had created a backlog. "We're a bit unlucky. We just happened to purchase engines during this period. "It'll work its way through. They're safe but they need to be checked and hopefully by about 2028 we think we should be through." When asked if there could be further changes to domestic flight schedules and capacity, Mr Foran said there "probably will, but hopefully not as much as it has been as we work through these issues". He empathised with Air New Zealand's customers and the impact on them. "We're over half way. I wish it was going to be fixed by Christmas. It won't, but it will get fixed. "And as soon as those planes are available to come back, then they will." An interim report from Dunedin Airport earlier this year said domestic seat capacity remained limited due to Air New Zealand's ongoing fleet challenges, and it did not anticipate any "meaningful improvements" in the airline's capacity until late 2026. Chief executive Daniel De Bono said the engine issues affecting Air New Zealand's fleet, and many other airlines globally, were easing but remained outside of both the airport and Air Zealand's direct control. "We remain focused on working with Air New Zealand and our other airline partners to grow air capacity from Dunedin. "The aviation sector regularly faces challenges like this and the key is to work collaboratively through them." The engine-related domestic capacity constraints had reduced available seat capacity and limited the airport's ability to grow in the short term. It was a "dynamic situation" not isolated to Dunedin or New Zealand. As a global supply chain challenge, the airport had taken a conservative approach in its forward planning to account for the uncertainty, Mr De Bono said. "We also expect further changes to the domestic network as Air New Zealand navigates the [engine] issues and softer domestic demand. "Shocks like this happen in aviation, but the medium to long-term growth path generally remains steady." Business South chief executive Mike Collins said its main concern was maintaining reliable air connectivity in the region. "Flights are critical for business, tourism and freight — the reality is that ongoing constraints risk impacting local growth. "We encourage Air New Zealand to keep regional centres front of mind in any schedule changes." While the engine issues were complex and global, uncertainty around flight availability hurt businesses' confidence, Mr Collins said. Every cancelled flight or reduced service chipped away at business confidence and reliable services were key to unlocking economic opportunities for Dunedin and the South. "Businesses rely on certainty to make decisions — and right now, there's a real lack of it when it comes to regional air connectivity. "That creates challenges not just for planning travel, but for investment, growth and confidence in the region."
CTV News
02-08-2025
- CTV News
Artificial intelligence and robotic technology use increase in appliances
Toronto Watch More appliances are using robotic technology and artificial intelligence and now some of those items could end up in your home. Everything from robotic lawn mowers to refrigerators using "AI", however it's worth asking if the new technology is worth the added cost. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
Reuters
29-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Air New Zealand taps digital chief as next CEO to steer firm through challenges
July 30 (Reuters) - Air New Zealand ( opens new tab on Wednesday named Nikhil Ravishankar as its next chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Greg Foran, as the airline contends with deepening supply chain and engine disruptions that are expected to weigh on earnings through 2025. Foran, who joined the airline just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, announced his resignation earlier this year, and would be leaving in October. The flag carrier continues to grapple with global supply chain disruptions and persistent engine maintenance issues. Ravishankar, who has served as Air New Zealand's chief digital officer for nearly four years, will assume the top job on October 20. Prior to joining the airline, he held leadership roles at Vector and consulting firm Accenture (ACN.N), opens new tab, where he was managing director. "Airlines will continue to face immense challenges, whether that's climate change, customer expectations, technology, cost pressures or geopolitics," said Chair Dame Therese Walsh. "Nikhil brings a fresh perspective that is grounded in New Zealand values and a deep knowledge of the airline and critical infrastructure across different sectors." Air New Zealand's struggles have been compounded by a relatively small domestic market and fierce competition from Australian carriers Qantas Airways ( opens new tab and Virgin Australia ( opens new tab. It has also seen delayed plane deliveries and several jets being grounded. Foran, a former Walmart (WMT.N), opens new tab executive, has led the Kiwi flag carrier through a turbulent period, with the airline facing unique hurdles compared to its global peers, partly due to its geographic isolation. The carrier had earlier flagged that up to 11 of its aircraft would remain grounded at times in the second half of fiscal 2025, which would bite into the firm's earnings. The company is also expecting lower earnings in 2025, citing uncertainty around global engine maintenance delays and related compensation levels.
